Access Copyright sues Staples for $10 million for copyright infringement

Staples / Business Depot, the largest office supply chain in Canada and the Canadian arm of a giant U.S. office supply super store chain Staples, is being sued by Access Copyright for $10 million for copyright infringement because of unauthorized -- uncompensated -- photocopying by store customers.

A Canadian Press story about the suit was carried today by the Toronto Star. Access says it is the largest such claim over copyright infringement in Canada.

Staples /Business Depot is the and most stores operate business centres where the public can access dozens of pay-per-copy photocopiers.

"Staples/Business Depot is a sizable, for-profit organization that has built part of its business through a lucrative service that exploits the published works of authors, photographers and publishers," Access Copyright said in a release.

"Companies that photocopy illegally are effectively taking money directly out of the pockets of creators and publishers who depend on book sales and copyright royalties for their livelihood."

Companies that profit from illegal photocopying "are undermining the work of others," said Maureen Cavan, executive director of Access Copyright.

The story said Access Copyright, which represents the rights of some 9,000 writers and publishers across Canada, had been trying since 1998 to get Staples to pay attention to concerns raised by creators and publishers.

"Despite repeated attempts by Access Copyright to reach a settlement and come to an amicable resolution, Staples/Business Depot has made no perceivable changes to their business practices."